SLOVENIA, CROATIA, HUNGARY, POLAND, REP. CZECH, REP. SLOVAK
Another summer is over and another fantastic holiday is gone, now I'll have to wait a year before being able to wander elsewhere. What ended this summer is my seventh, and you got it, seventh inter rail. Seven years on trains across Europe who have allowed me to know different places and cultures, great people and beautiful landscapes. Seven years I have gone through the length and breadth of the continent, dedicated each year to visit a different area. A wealth of experience that makes you question many of the certainties on our way of life that makes you feel how many things that do not or do not work. In my last I looked back at inter rail to the east, in the light that once came from this land, I crossed the former Iron Curtain, and with some regret that I have dedicated myself to visiting these places, which are unfortunately overrun by capitalism Wild and unbridled consumerism that leave indelible marks of their ills. But despite that, I would certainly like to see these lands before, it was a fantastic holiday and I was impressed. Magnificent cities and villages that make you go back in time, kind and hospitable people, good food, beer flowing like water, good transportation and beautiful girls.
After traveling from Rome to Venice and a brief tour of Venice begins the real holiday, we are aiming for the capital of Slovenia. Valleys and mountains and then woods, forests and woods yet, this is what we see from the train before arriving in Ljubljana. Two days in this lovely little town, elegant clean and where you can see the influence of Austria, a short trip to Lake Bled where we hitchhiked, among other things seems to be quite easy to move this way and then away from the richest and most western of the former Yugoslav republics. Here in Zagreb, immediately perceive the difference, the largest city and chaotic than the last, it is pleasant to stroll through the streets of downtown, especially along two streets full of bar-pub where we stopped for a beer on time. We're just beginning, but already we see that the alcohol content of the vacancy will be high. Two days on, let's go to the beautiful lakes of Plitvice but to save money and not take the bus from Zagreb remain blocked whole day in a remote village of 20 houses and 100 inhabitants. We live in strange characters, the signs of war are still very clear, no connections and no one speaks English and to end our presence provokes much curiosity. Despite pass several cars of tourists to the lakes no one from 'a ride, that rip-off and think that we are only 20 km from our destination. However, an experience that I will always remember with great pleasure. We spend a few hours Ogulin where we run into a party that we understand what it is to celebrate the 10 years since the war and then down to Split where we allow ourselves a day at the beach on the island of Brac. During the journey, we meet Some Croatian Franjo not forget to Split native who lives in Belgrade with whom we chatted a couple of hours each in their own language and being able to understand each other strangely. One moment and we already want to start from Split, Brac, invaded by the Italians and regret nothing Vrhovine. We look a bit 'disappointed by the sea, it is spoken so well but there seems nothing special, while the grandeur of villa of Diocletian strikes us. We expect sixteen hours by train before reaching Budaspest unfortunately will visit Bosnia and Serbia again. I think back to when there was Yugoslavia, when this territory was a single state with its incredible natural beauty and artistic, when Croats and Serbs, Slovenes and Bosnians lived together in peace, when there was Marshal Tito. We cross the Hungarian border and the train fills up, up and down people from lots of stops along the lake Balaton. After the first moments of mistrust begin a long chat with fellow travelers, Giuga (Susanna, I have no idea how to spell) of his father sixty years and a very lively and enterprising woman with a strong desire to communicate. We show the most beautiful places of Hungary, we teach some basic words and we do the same, then involve the entire car in a discussion to tell us where you will find a way when we get to the station and accompany us to the bus stop. Such kindness We are very pleased. We spend three days outstanding in the Hungarian capital, passing continuously from Buda to Pest, amazed by the immensity of the Danube, breathing the smells and tastes of local and admire his craft, listening to music and drinking beer, but above all we appreciate the nightlife. A brief visit to the lovely Eger, famous for festivals and wine that I have to admit being really good and then again on the road. We arrive in Krakow at dawn and immediately fall in love there. Beautiful city, clean and tidy, rich in history and culture, lively and cheerful, fun-filled night. Three days of culture and booze, excellent Polish cuisine enjoyed at ridiculous prices in the beautiful bar-dairies (inns popular communist era), chaos and meetings. How to forget about those crazy Germans with whom we get drunk, singing in the kitchen of the hostel. On a visit to Auschwitz to remember the countless crimes of Nazism and Fascism. The providential help of a man we can not miss the train, on which Pavel know we deal with a long chat about life in Italy and Poland, on what is dear to Italy and how it has become impossible to live. We visit Gdansk, we will not forget for his heart invaded by an immense Portaportese, stands and stalls everywhere selling junk memorabilia War and anything else and the folly of his population. Finally it was the turn of the capital Warsaw, with its beautiful old completely reconstructed and the crowds of tourists who pass through it. We leave a bit 'sad Poland, which has so impressed with the promise to come back and we arrive in the best known of the eastern capital. Prague is described as: charming, romantic, Renaissance, but unfortunately also crowded and rainy. The three days we spend here and spend happy happy, beautiful narrow alleys reminiscent of the old Trastevere, Charles Bridge and the excellent beer that we drink now as if it were water. Kutna Hora, 30 km from Prague, organized and attractive offers a pleasant refuge from the wild hordes of tourists giving back a more genuine, even the suburbs in a classic Soviet-style has its charm. Last stop, but not less beautiful, the other half of what was Czechoslovakia. Bratislava attracts us, young and lively, full of life, leave a good impression on our eyes but also to our palate. At least, unfortunately, when it is well time flies, that seem to have spent three weeks in a second. In front of us 24 hours by train, four states, numerous checks of the documents and then again in Rome, waiting for the next trip.
Now for the numbers and more practices. 22 days cost us 500 euro plus the inter-rail ticket (275), we have not had to pay surcharges, or make bookings, we stayed 11 nights in a hostel by paying between 9 and 16 euro (Slovenia and Croatia are more expensive). Almost every city you can walk very well run, except to Budapest, eye checks on the subway. Places are quiet and safe, just a bit 'of foresight but as in all cities of the world. You can safely eat local, but you know how to choose, we spent a full meal between 2 and 6 €, impossible to resist the beer both quality and price ranges from 80 cents to 2 Euros for a pint. In a number of hostels is possible cooking with you but you must have the equipment, for example, we bought our pot and colander in Zagreb and we have used throughout the holiday. The trains are of good quality, clean and efficient, except that Hungarians are a bit 'dirty old men, while Croatia is a bit' slow, many well-connected and also the night safe, on those Czechs there is even the possibility to lock the compartment door.
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